Challenging Oprah
Recently Oprah interviewed Ted Haggard and his wife Gayle. You may remember that Ted, a charismatic pastor of the megachurch he built and head of the National Association of Evangelicals, was outed in 2006 for same-sex immorality. Ted has come a long way in terms of facing his fleshly “inner demons,” but I thought he still skirted around a number of issues. (See former pro-gay spokesman Joe Dallas’ excellent blog on what he wished Ted would have said.)
What broke my heart, though, was how Oprah continued to come back to her mantra: “That is who you are!” She SO wanted Ted to own a gay identity, and kept bringing him back to that one point. She has swallowed the culture’s Kool-Aid, so to speak, about the “gay is good” mentality.
I thought Gayle nailed it when she spoke a powerful word of redemptive truth: she said we don’t have to give into our inclinations, and they don’t have to be our identity–which Oprah refused. She came right out and said she couldn’t go there with Gayle. She clearly thought Gayle was wrong.
So I was thinking. . . what if a new movement rose up attempting to normalize obesity, calling it “a different kind of beautiful”? And what if obese people came on her show and said, “Oprah, girlfriend, you’ve had a lifelong inclination to overeat and not exercise. Face it! You are a fat girl! That is who you are! Stop lying about it and embrace it as who you truly are!” She wouldn’t like it because she knows some inclinations are worthy of struggling against. She wouldn’t like it because she doesn’t want her temptations and her inclinations to define her.
Praise God that Jesus makes the power of the Cross available to us to fight against our temptations and our fleshly inclinations, and He longs to be the one who defines us and gives us our identity!
As for me and my identity, I am a beloved child of the King, redeemed and still very much in process of becoming all that He wants me to be.
Princess Sue
Sue Bohlin
Sue Bohlin is a speaker/writer and webmistress for Probe Ministries, a Christian organization that helps people to think biblically. She loves teaching women and laughing, and if those two can be combined, all the better. She also loves speaking for MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) and Stonecroft Ministries (Christian Women's Clubs) on the topic How to Handle the Things You Hate But Can't Change, based on her lifelong experience as a polio survivor. She has a freelance calligraphy business in her home studio; hand lettering was her "Proverbs 31 job" while her children were young. Sue also serves on the board of Living Hope Ministries, a Christ-centered organization that helps people struggling with unwanted homosexuality and the family members of those with same-sex attractions. Sue never met a cruise ship she didn't like, especially now that God has provided a travel scooter for getting around any ship! She is happily married to Dr. Ray Bohlin, writer and speaker on faith and science with Probe Ministries, and they have two grown sons. You can follow Sue on Twitter @suebohlin.
5 Comments
Edgar
re: oprah inclindation thoughts
The obesity example is a great observation. Reminds us that some people can’t live out their philosophy.
bleek
yes, that was disturbing
I don’t have anything to add. you said it. this is just an “amen.”
Ok, I’ll add one thing – that episode revealed that Oprah is not able to function as an objective invterviewer, as many assume she is. that was disappointing, and disconcerting…how many walked away thinking that she had made a good point? too many, I fear.
I hope the Spirit gives voice to Gayle.
serene
Our Girlfriend Oprah
“She has swallowed the culture’s Kool-Aid, so to speak, about the “gay is good” mentality.”
This may “break your heart” but I have some bad news: Oprah IS the Kool-Aid, the number one purveyor of it. Why Christian women don’t see her as something approaching the anti-Christ is amazing to me……
Gwynne Johnson
2009….If it feels good, it must be right
This is a great example of the prevailing understanding of our humanity…if it feels good, it must be right.
Tonya
Turn the t.v. off ladies
I feel the best way to “deal” with Oprah is to turn her off, call your local station and say,” Hey, I will not watch shows like this. Find a Better alternative.” I feel you should stay up on the news of the day, but not the “gossip.” Most of our lives would be better off if we never turned the tube on.